TRIP COACH

Canada

A couple from Bosque Farms, N.M., is traveling across Canada by train to celebrate their 33rd wedding anniversary.

Winnipeg, Manitoba: Because Donna describes herself and Bob as bookish, they ought to pick up a free copy of Winnipeg's Book Walk at the city's tourism office (259 Portage Ave., 204/943-1970, destinationwinnipeg.ca). The brochure outlines a self-guided walking tour to 10 downtown bookstores, many of which sell used and rare books. Highbrow Books, for example, specializes in the humanities and sciences (310 Donald St., 204/943-5668).

Toronto, Ontario: "Chocolate is a basic food group, as far as I'm concerned," says Donna. "I have a chocolate addiction!" chimes in Bob. The Distillery District, 13 acres of Victorian warehouses converted in 2001 into a pedestrian-only mall (55 Mill St., thedistillerydistrict.com), is a 10-minute bus ride from the train station (No. 72 or No. 172, $2). Inside, the Royers will find Soma Chocolatemaker, famous for its decadent Mayan Hot Chocolate ($9), and the Mill Street Brewery, which makes a popular dark-brown porter with hints of chocolate ($2).

Montreal, Quebec: "I especially like places where you can visit most things on foot," says Bob. "We often wander around just to see interesting buildings." They'll love the oldest part of the city, Vieux-Montreal, where cobblestoned streets are lined with fantastic examples of 18th-century architecture. The area is also home to the gloriously ornate Notre-Dame Basilica, which was built in 1829 (110 rue Notre-Dame Ouest, $4).

Quebec City, Quebec: Bob tells us crepes are "Donna's type of food," but he'll want to give Le Casse-Crepe Breton a try anyway. The couple can build their own with veggies, cheese, and ham--or they can stick with chocolate (1136 rue St-Jean, 418/692-0438, from $4). And although the city should keep them entertained, Montmorency Falls is a 30-minute bus ride away if they get bored (take No. 800 to No. 50, $2). For $7, a cable car deposits visitors at the base of a waterfall that's one and a half times the height of those in Niagara (418/663-3330, sepaq.com).

Halifax, Nova Scotia: The Royers are history buffs, so they'll enjoy a visit to Pier 21, Canada's Ellis Island, which is behind the train station (902/425-7770, pier21.ca, $7). More than a million immigrants entered Canada here between 1928 and 1971; their stories and photos are on display in the exhibition hall. Because the couple loves seafood, a fitting way to celebrate the end of the journey is dinner at Economy Shoe Shop (1663 Argyle St., 902/423-7463, entrees from $9). Despite its odd name, "The Shoe" is one of the most popular restaurants in Halifax, with jazz on Monday nights and a menu that includes a delicious lobster and scallop vol-au-vent.

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